FineScale Modeler Orphaned Armor Group Build 2014

For those of us working on WW2 items I've found some interesting things on http://forum.axishistory.com/

It can take a little digging but worth it

Phil

Very cool, thanks

Aaron Skinner

Klik

Ok, for your review:

Image source:

Drury, Bob and Clavin, Tom. Last Men Out: The True Story of America's Heroic Final Hours in Vietnam Free Press; New York, 2011

As you can see, it is most definitely an America-made tank (an M48?--I had a toy of this type of tank when I was younger). My question is, since it appears to be painted in the standard American Drab camo, would I have to throw on an NVA soldier to show that it is, indeed, an "orphaned tank"? Or did the ARVN and/or NVA paint these tanks in a unique camo scheme? 

The pic seems to be a little unclear. On a side note, there appears to be some amount of stowage on the top and sides of the turret. Any explanations?

Thanks for the help. I'd love to join in, if this qualifies.

Klik

Klik,

I like the idea (great photo!), but I think it needs to be clear that it is in North Vietnamese service from the model. It appears they were only used for a short period of time and may not have been repainted. I found a photo of one at the museum at Khe Sanh which has been painted with North Vietnamese style turret numbers and parade white walls. Scroll down the page to find the image I'm talking about. Otherwise, you could add a North Vietnamese flag from the antenna to indicate it's reorientation. I'm going to check a couple of other sources, so I may know more soon.

Cheers, Aaron

I just heard from Jim Mesko and he says the images he's seen show the captured ARVN M48s in ARVN markings and he suspects they didn't take time to repaint them during the drive to Saigon. Several photos show them flying North Vietnamese flags. They were repainted after the war.

Modeling an ARVN M48 would meet the criteria of the GB, as would modeling an ARVN tank flying a North Vietnam flag.

Hope that makes things a little easier.

Cheers, Aaron

I know you guys get tired of hearing me go on and on about how cool it is that you're building models with Aaron and me, but it is. Thanks for joining up so quickly on this group build!

Just to keep you guys apprised, Aaron and I are shooting a bunch of video for the next couple of days, so we won't be in here as much. However, we'll stop in when we can. Please, keep things going. If any questions crop up, we'll do our best to answer them ASAP. Same goes for new volunteers. You all know pretty much what we're looking for. Give the newbs some guidance and we'll be back to stamp their names onto the roster.

Thanks! You all ROCK!

Aaron, thanks for the clarification.

I'd just some color cues, and a good M48 kit, and I'm in.

Klik

edit: Checked that photo you posted. I like the idea, but the color just seems, wrong. And it's a bit too clean to me. would the ARVN have done a similar color? I really like the image of that tank I posted, and would love to model it.

Klik,

That sounds good. Once you have the kit and scale, let us know and we'll add you to the lineup!

That is a very nice subject.

Klik

Aaron, thanks for the clarification.

I'd just some color cues, and a good M48 kit, and I'm in.

Klik

edit: Checked that photo you posted. I like the idea, but the color just seems, wrong. And it's a bit too clean to me. would the ARVN have done a similar color? I really like the image of that tank I posted, and would love to model it.

ARVN armor was delivered in the standard Dark OD in use on US Army AFVs at that time. It is darker than the standard 34087 that most folks associate with US Armor Olive Drab and can be almost purpleish in hue. Humbrol makes a decent Dark olive Drab ( #66) but it is not a spot on match. Italeri has a dark OD in their new paint line as well that will work. Tamiya's Olive Drab with Black added will work. ARVN markings were pretty basic usually- a yellow strip on the front and rear of the hull with the serial number in black and IIRC the three red stripes of the RVN flag preceding the serial. No white stars like US armor. If you look in the photo you can see a lighter colored strip on the lower glacis center, that is where that strip should be. Some units used barrle bands for markings. What scale kit are you looking to build. The new Dragon M48A3 is supposed to be the best kit in that scale of a M48. In 1/35 there is also the Tamiya kit, Academy clones, and the old Monogram M48A2 (need to do some conversion to make it an A3). I don't have much knowledge of wha tis out there for a 1/72 or 1/48 M48.

And yes, either the all red flag of North Vietnam, or the Red & Blue flag of the VC/NLF flown on the radio antenna would be a great way to show it under new ownership.

Tim Kidwell

I know you guys get tired of hearing me go on and on about how cool it is that you're building models with Aaron and me, but it is. Thanks for joining up so quickly on this group build!

Just to keep you guys apprised, Aaron and I are shooting a bunch of video for the next couple of days, so we won't be in here as much. However, we'll stop in when we can. Please, keep things going. If any questions crop up, we'll do our best to answer them ASAP. Same goes for new volunteers. You all know pretty much what we're looking for. Give the newbs some guidance and we'll be back to stamp their names onto the roster.

Thanks! You all ROCK!

Leaving the lunatics in charge of the asylum, now that's brave.

Don't worry, we will look after the place while your gone

I have many pictures of ARVN helicopters with pretty garish added tiger mouths, glaring eyes etc. I would not be surprised to see the armor likewise.

Wow, you guys are a treasure trove of information.

I'll have to make a trip to my LHS to get an M48 (That Dragon kit sounds nice--1/35, I assume?) As for scale, I'll go with what I find at the store, so bear with me on that.

Did a little more digging around the internet, based off what you all have been telling me about this tank, and found this gem:

and this one, for color and marking reference:

Yellow markings, no stars, just as you said.

Soon as I can get a decent M48A3 (yes?) kit, I'll tell you scale.

Thanks for letting me join in. Gives me a chance to improve my skills.

Klik

Klik, we're glad to have you along for the duration.

Tim,

Please put me down for a captured T-34/76-I have the Bison Beute Panzer decal sheet in transit so once I get a chance to compare the sheet to what's in the stash, I'll add more details.

Here's a neat website for Allied tanks in German use-it was listed on the Bison sheet:

http://beutepanzer.ru/Beutepanzer/main.htm

Bob - We got ya covered. Glad you're in!

Klik

I'll have to make a trip to my LHS to get an M48 (That Dragon kit sounds nice--1/35, I assume?) As for scale, I'll go with what I find at the store, so bear with me on that.

Thanks for joining the group build. It's really shaping up with some very cool and unusual subjects. Just let us know what kit you're building once you get it.

I started into this GB planning to build the Italeri M13/40 straight from the box. Then I found some Fruilmodel tracks to replace the old-school vinyl. And just now I caught myself surfing the web for photoetched-metal detail sets. I just can't help myself.

Cheers, Aaron

Aaron Skinner

I started into this GB planning to build the Italeri M13/40 straight from the box. Then I found some Fruilmodel tracks to replace the old-school vinyl. And just now I caught myself surfing the web for photoetched-metal detail sets. I just can't help myself.

Cheers, Aaron

Welcome to the club.

There should be a name for this syndrome...

There is......A.M.S.  - Advanced Modeler Syndrome.

I'm trying to keep my Sherman simple, but I'm afraid it's not working...

Here's what I have on my AM list so far:

• Tasca suspension
• Friul T49 tracks
• RB barrel
• Tiger Models transmission cover? (I heard bad things about the kit parts, but I'll have a look at them first)
• Masks for the crosses

So much for a simple Sherman...

I jumped in with the LVTP7 to re-familiarize myself with the Academy kit in preparation for a future conversion build.  I too have strayed from simple and have the Eduard PE and a separate set of individual track links enroute and have my eyes on some antennas as a potential purchase. 

Well I was thinking about slightly changing the kit I was going to do. I picked up Academys Stug IV in 1/35 scale, still going to paint it in Russian colours. I looked to see if Russia captured any stug IV's and didn't see any.

pyrman64

There is......A.M.S.  - Advanced Modeler Syndrome.

Aaron Skinner

pyrman64

There is......A.M.S.  - Advanced Modeler Syndrome.

Now I'm eyeing a turned-metal barrel...

Hi. My name is Aaron and I have a problem.

I'm sorry to disappoint on this front, but I'm going to stick as close as I can to the kit I've got--no aftermarket goodies, and not a lot of scratchbuilt stuff (he says like he does before all his builds and then ends up adding extra doodads). I, for one, am looking forward to a straight-up build so I can concentrate on painting and weathering. Building armor is a rarity for me (this'll be my second tank--third if you count a hover tank--in seven years).

Plus, I've found that while running/participating in a group build, I start fretting like a teenage girl getting ready for her first prom. I want low stress this time around.

Tim Kidwell

Aaron Skinner

pyrman64

There is......A.M.S.  - Advanced Modeler Syndrome.

Now I'm eyeing a turned-metal barrel...

Hi. My name is Aaron and I have a problem.

I'm sorry to disappoint on this front, but I'm going to stick as close as I can to the kit I've got--no aftermarket goodies, and not a lot of scratchbuilt stuff (he says like he does before all his builds and then ends up adding extra doodads). I, for one, am looking forward to a straight-up build so I can concentrate on painting and weathering. Building armor is a rarity for me (this'll be my second tank--third if you count a hover tank--in seven years).

Plus, I've found that while running/participating in a group build, I start fretting like a teenage girl getting ready for her first prom. I want low stress this time around.

I've already got all the extra's I need for the Hotchkiss, but as its all of 4 inches long I'm not sure how much I can fit on! and the Modelkasten tracks will be loads of fun!!!

Phil

Aaron Skinner

So Tim says now. There still several months for him to start adding bits — a little photoetched-metal here, some brass rod there, maybe even a base and a couple of figures.

Get thee behind me!

Tim Kidwell

Aaron Skinner

So Tim says now. There still several months for him to start adding bits — a little photoetched-metal here, some brass rod there, maybe even a base and a couple of figures.

Get thee behind me!

Citizen! It is in your best interest to add details.